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“I wasn’t saying that.”
“Oh, but you were, and that’s not me. That’s not what I require in my helpmate.”
“So what, you prefer someone that brings zero value to your life. And again, I’m not saying your wife doesn’t bring you value.”
I pointed at her and let a harsh chuckle escape my throat. My temper rising as the seconds ticked by. However, I kept my anger in check, realizing this was my fault. This woman believed that she was better than my wife. That she was above her because she wasn’t a doctor or didn’t have a college degree. She wasn’t smart, or sophisticated. And I never corrected her. I never showed her who my wife truly was to me and put her in her place. I needed to do that now.
“Oh of course you are, and you’re entitled to your own opinion.” I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my thighs. “Let me share some things with you. Ayana and I met when I was in middle school.” Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and I felt like shit I hadn’t had this conversation with her before.
I took about an hour and shared the highlights of Ayana and me. I told her about wanting her the first day I met her, how we instantly connected over a game of basketball, and how I was hooked from that day on.
“Things held us back. We were friends, the best of friends for so long, I wasn’t sure how to break free of that title. We wasted a lot of years, but I don’t regret it. We established a friendship so strong that no one could ever break it.”
Jen smiled the entire time I told her about me and Ayana, about the trials and tribulations we went though. Again, high level info, I wasn’t about to tell her anything personal or the shit we had to deal with before we were finally together. I did tell her about Ayana, her heart, the things she does when she’s not being a barmaid. Jen was shocked.
“She really volunteers teaching women self-defense?”
I nodded, pride exuding from my smile.
“Yes. My wife is a bad ass. She can get with the best of them. She a beacon for a lot of women, and I won’t get into her personal story, it’s not my story to tell. But she’s an extraordinary woman. She’s kind, and thoughtful, fiercely loyal, and dedicated to those she loves. She has been behind me every step of this journey I’m on. I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing without her. She’s my lifeline. In fact, I do this for her, to make her proud, to take care of her so she doesn’t have to want for anything ever.”
“But you were going to marry someone else.”
“I didn’t say I was smart. You did. I’m a guy. We make mistakes. But I rectified that mistake. I realized that there wasn’t a woman out here better for me than Ayana. Every woman I’ve ever been with I compared them to her, and they never measured up. She’s the reason for my bedside manner, the way I treat people. I’m only mirroring her greatness.”
Jen snorted and rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t treat me that way.”
“I know, and that’s my fault. She thought you were trying to break us up. I told her she was wrong. Assured her that you and I were only friends, co-workers. But she believed you wanted me for yourself.”
I studied Jen for a long time, checking her reactions to my words, and she didn’t dispute anything I said. She didn’t agree either, but her silence spoke volumes.
“You do realize I would never cheat on my wife. No woman is worth that. No woman would ever get close to me for me to ever want anyone other than my wife.”
Jen glanced down at her lap and nodded after a spell. “Yes, I know that. It’s one of the things I like about you. Your devotion and love for your wife.”
“Good. So you understand that I need to go get my wife, bring her home, and show her just how much I love her until the sun comes up.”
Jen grinned and nodded. When her eyes finally settled on me, I could see she understood. I wouldn’t say the hopefulness left her eyes, but she understood who had my heart. Who would always have my heart.
Jen stood up and headed for the door. I followed, grabbing my keys.
We made it to the door and she opened it, but before she walked through, she turned and asked, “Um, about your brother…”
I shook my head.“Don’t even think about it. He’s head over heels for someone else. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
“You gotdamn right, he is,” I blurted, heat rising up my neck, making my ears hot.
Noelle and Ayana both laughed. I didn’t find shit funny. That heffa’ better stay away from Lock. I didn’t think I had the restraint capabilities like Ayana. Although, if she wasn’t pregnant, I think Ayana would’ve already punchedHansy Jansyin the face already.
Still grinning, Noelle said, “I’m glad Brad was finally able to see past that woman’s fake ass smile and big tits to see who she really was and what her end goal was.”
Stamping down my anger, I sighed and smiled, “I can’t believe he said he was mirroring your greatness. I mean does he even know you?” I joked.
Ayana gave me the finger as Noelle laughed.
“It was sweet the things he said about me, but it wasn’t better than when he expressed how sorry he was for not believing me.” She smirked and Noelle and I groaned and rolled our eyes.
“So, you didn’t say what he did afterwards. Did he come to Ice’s to get you?” I asked.
